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Autism and Community Mental Health teams

rachellouise

Hello,

I’m looking for some advice and support regarding my son. He is autistic and has ADHD. He’s recently been under the Hampshire Community Mental Health Team and has been diagnosed with severe depression, health anxiety, and rumination. He is currently on 200mg sertraline and has just started a small dose of risperidone. Therapy has also been suggested.

What’s confusing and worrying me is that the CMHT have said that because he is autistic, he may not “fit” under their team and could be referred elsewhere (for example, to autism services like NAS). I’m struggling to understand this, as I thought severe depression and anxiety would be within CMHT care.

I would really appreciate hearing from anyone who has been through something similar:

  • Have you or your family member been told you don’t fit CMHT because of autism?

  • If so, what support did you end up getting and how did you make sure mental health needs were still met?

  • Any advice on how to advocate effectively so my son doesn’t get lost between services?

Thank you in advance. I just want to make sure he gets consistent care and isn’t passed around without proper support.

  • in reply to TheCatWoman

    Thank you for your reply, Josh also has delusional thinking where he believes if he thinks he has wires in his brain ,which will snap and then damage his brain. He is isolating himself  and spending all day in his room.  Good news tonight though he ended up going to his club for the first time in months.  

  • What's Rumination in this context? I can understand that dweeling on the negative is unhelpful, but thats what happens with depression. If your son is autistic then thinking deeply about things are part of the territory and shouldn't be discouraged, when he's less depressed then I'm sure he'll start thinking about other things. 

    I wonder if a lot of CMHT's are put off of ND due to fear of getting it wrong? 

  • I think an autism centred therapy would be a good thing. My son had therapy from a therapist who didn’t seem to have a clue about autism and it didn’t go well at all. I’d follow their suggestion regarding this. Be careful with the drugs - they can prompt suicidal ideation (and action).